Manimahesh Lake (also known as Dal Lake, Manimahesh) is a high altitude lake (elevation 4,080 metres (13,390 ft)) situated close to the Manimahesh Kailash Peak in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, in the Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The religious significance of this lake is next to that of the Lake Manasarovar in Tibet.
Day 1: Mcleodganj To Kareri Village (1900m) - 13km
The first 6km of the trek passes through a small lake. Tibetan children village and satobary village. From satobary village a wide trail descends to Ghera through thick jungle the cross Gaj river and Karari stream. From Ghera is a steady climb to Kareri village. Over night stay in tents.
Day 2: Kareri Village To Kareri Lake (3200m) - 12km
Trek goes along Kareri nullah. It is 3 to 4 hours to Kareri Lake. The lake is situated at the base of Minkiani Pass. Kareri lake has beautiful high altitude meadows and big pastureland.
Day 3: Kareri Lake To Minkiani Pass And Transfer To Minkiani Got (3500m) -10km
Four to five hours steed asent takes to the top of the pass. In early summer one has to walk over snow and ice and needs good technical skill. After the monsoon there is no snow and the trail is visible. The weather is unpredictable here. From the Pass the trail descends down to the Minkaiani Got through big boulders.In early summer months these boulders remain covered by deep snow. The track terminates at Minkaini Got where few rock caves and a beautiful camping ground will take care of night stay.
Day 4: Minkiani Got To Lam Dal Lake (3900m) And Back To Minkiani Got -11km
Lam Dal the biggest lake in Dhauladhar range is considered as the abode of Shiva and is sacred. On the way to Lam Dal is kali Kund shaped like a well and surrounded by rising hills.
Day 5: Minkiani Got To Drakund (1800m) -15km
From Lam Dal the trek descends down the valley along Lam Dal stream. Over night stay at Drakund.
Day 6: Drakund To Dunali (9km) And Transfer To Bharmour (2195m) - 45km
It takes about two hours to reach Dunali on the main Chamba – Bhamour road. The villages are scattered but linked with each other.
Day 7: Rest Day In Bharmour
Located at the confluence of Ravi and Lam dal stream. (Dunali to Bharmour – 40 km) Night stay in a guest house in Bharmour, visit ancient Chaurasi Temples and then re-supply for the trek.
Day 8: Bharmour To Hadsar And Transfer To Dhancho (2440m)
Bharmour to Hadsar is 13Km motorable. Hadsar to Dhancho is about 7km steep ascent. Dhancho is the base camp for the trekkers enroute Manimahesh Lake. Gauri nullah (stream) forms a huge waterfall at Dhancho. Night stay in the tents.
Day 9: Dhancho To Manimahesh Lake (4115m) And Back To Dhancho
From Dhancho a big trail steep up 5km to Gauri kund is gradual ascent for 2.5km to Manimahesh Lake. Manimahesh is a small glaciar lake in Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges. Thousands of people go on pilgrimage to this lake every year in August. Lunch at the lake and to Dhancho for the night stay.
Day 10: Dhancho To Bharmour
Night stay in the guest house .From Bharmour bus/ jeep are available for Chamba, Dharamsala, Pathankot.